Which park would you do first?

[friedela]

Between MK and HS, which park would you pick to do first if it was your first time at Disney World? We are doing two days on, one day off but can't decide if it's best to do the busier park first or second. TIA

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Magic Kingdom.

 

[friedela]

Magic Kingdom.

Can I ask why?

 

[North of Mouse]

Between MK and HS, which park would you pick to do first if it was your first time at Disney World? We are doing two days on, one day off but can't decide if it's best to do the busier park first or second. TIA

Depends on what you enjoy! Personally, we always go to MK first. In fact, JMO, and for us, HS is only a few hours park - unless we decide to be there for the night shows. We much prefer HEA and Once Upon a Time projection show on castle at MK.

 

[Southernmiss]

MK. Iconic, special. Gives me the Disney feeling. So much to see and do. Is the most magical of all the parks- surpises around every corner.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I agree with previous posters that's why I would do HS first. HS is a great park but there's not a real lot to do there right now. Certainly enough to keep a first timer busy though. I would do HS first so you are enjoying it for its own merits and not comparing it to the incomparable MK.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Magic Kingdom because it's the "original" Disney. We are going next week and although we have park hoppers, we are starting and ending our trip with MK.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Between MK and HS, which park would you pick to do first if it was your first time at Disney World? We are doing two days on, one day off but can't decide if it's best to do the busier park first or second. TIA

For me, “which park to do first” would likely be entirely dependent on the time of year, day of the week, and maybe EMHs if applicable to your situation. Those factors would likely influence me more than which park I like more or think works better as a first park.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Agree with PP. Are you taking advantage of emh? Do you have park hoppers? Those things matter much more than which is my favorite park.

 

[KMarston]

We choose based on the day of the week and what's going on. We usually do MK on Tue and Thursday and Epcot on Monday. Next visit there's an early ticketed morning event on Tuesday so we've switch MK to Monday. We'll see how that goes! No Park hoppers this trip so we'll avoid extra morning/evening hours.

 

[friedela]

For me, “which park to do first” would likely be entirely dependent on the time of year, day of the week, and maybe EMHs if applicable to your situation. Those factors would likely influence me more than which park I like more or think works better as a first park.

Sorry, I suppose a little bit more information would be helpful!
We are going end of February, the two days in question is a Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday being a rest day at our vacation home. We do not have park hopper tickets. On both days there is no Extra Magic hours at either park although I don't think that matters if I am not staying on a resort, is that correct?

My understanding was that HS was a much smaller park, easier to get to = shorter day which probably won't be as exhausting for a first time at disney, whereas MK is bigger, requires getting there super early and is longer day. So I guess what I am struggling with is if it's better to do the big park (MK) first and then have an easier-going day at HS next, or do an easy-going day at HS first, leave at a decent time and then get up early early the next morning and do a full day at MK when we can have a full day rest the next day.

 

[BriLovesDisney]

Magic Kingdom. It's classic Disney, has fireworks, the castle, and is the perfect park for first timers. MK also has rides for all tastes. I wouldn't even recommend going to HS at all. I did for a few hours on my last trip but there's just nothing there to do anymore until they open up Toy Story Land. Head over to Epcot or AK. Between the two, I would choose Epcot. It's an amazing park with great food, shows, and rides.

 

[friedela]

Magic Kingdom. It's classic Disney, has fireworks, the castle, and is the perfect park for first timers. MK also has rides for all tastes. I wouldn't even recommend going to HS at all. I did for a few hours on my last trip but there's just nothing there to do anymore until they open up Toy Story Land. Head over to Epcot or AK. Between the two, I would choose Epcot. It's an amazing park with great food, shows, and rides.

My son and husband are big into Star Wars though, so that is one of the biggest reasons we are going to HS. Plus both my kids really love shows and live theatre so I think it will be a good fit for us. My kiddos are 5 and 7.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Sorry, I suppose a little bit more information would be helpful!
We are going end of February, the two days in question is a Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday being a rest day at our vacation home. We do not have park hopper tickets. On both days there is no Extra Magic hours at either park although I don't think that matters if I am not staying on a resort, is that correct?

My understanding was that HS was a much smaller park, easier to get to = shorter day which probably won't be as exhausting for a first time at disney, whereas MK is bigger, requires getting there super early and is longer day. So I guess what I am struggling with is if it's better to do the big park (MK) first and then have an easier-going day at HS next, or do an easy-going day at HS first, leave at a decent time and then get up early early the next morning and do a full day at MK when we can have a full day rest the next day.

Cool, thanks! So a bit of a slowish time and no EMHs at either park to factor in. (ETA: Yes, you would not be eligible for EMH but some people like to “avoid” the parks with EMHs, but not a factor here).

Generally speaking, I typically don’t like MK on a Monday. For any given week long trip, it’s a lot of folk’s “first full day,” and MK is often the popular choice. I much prefer MK on a Tuesday.

So if this were me, I’d likely plan HS on Monday and MK on Tuesday.

 

[srwarden1928]

If I am going for me or with a group of WDW lovers, I do the parks in the order they were opened--MK, Epcot, HS, AK.
If I have someone in the group saying Disney is for kids, I do the parks from least to most magical--Epcot, AK, HS, MK.

 

[tinkerjo]

We usually do MK our 1st day but EMH dictate us to day 3 this time when the older kids can stay later in the evening, giving them the longer day. I would go with HS day 1 and save day 2 for your longer MK day so you can be fresh, stay later, and have a full day to recover on Wednesday

 

[Delirium]

The fact that your first day is Monday answers the question for you. Do Hollywood Studios first. Monday is typically a much busier day at MK than Tuesday.

 

[danielocha30]

Doing HS will still worn you out, you will be tired enough the next day to tackle MK is a huge park and IMO is better to hit it for the first day when energy levels are up and adrenaline is running high. HS is a better option for a late start in the day.

 

[old lady]

I visit the Magic Kingdom first.

 

[J and R's mom]

Sorry, I suppose a little bit more information would be helpful!
We are going end of February, the two days in question is a Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday being a rest day at our vacation home. We do not have park hopper tickets. On both days there is no Extra Magic hours at either park although I don't think that matters if I am not staying on a resort, is that correct?

My understanding was that HS was a much smaller park, easier to get to = shorter day which probably won't be as exhausting for a first time at disney, whereas MK is bigger, requires getting there super early and is longer day. So I guess what I am struggling with is if it's better to do the big park (MK) first and then have an easier-going day at HS next, or do an easy-going day at HS first, leave at a decent time and then get up early early the next morning and do a full day at MK when we can have a full day rest the next day.

My son and husband are big into Star Wars though, so that is one of the biggest reasons we are going to HS. Plus both my kids really love shows and live theatre so I think it will be a good fit for us. My kiddos are 5 and 7.

My first instinct was to say "Magic Kingdom!" for all of the reasons already mentioned. BUT...given what you said above, DHS might be the better option to take on first...especially since you have STAR WARS fans.